We are a leading research department, consistently ranked in the top 20 economics departments worldwide. This is reflected in the 2014 Research Assessment Exercise which recognised the Department's outstanding contribution to the field. According to the REF 2014 results, 56 per cent of the Department’s research output was graded 4 star (the highest category), indicating that it is 'world-leading'. A further 33 per cent was designated 'internationally excellent' (3 star).
Most research activity is integrated within collaborative programmes organised by 杏吧论坛 research centres. The main economics-related centres are the (STICERD), the (CEP), the (FMG), the (CASE), the (SERC), the (IGC), and the (CFM).
The Department’s research has been utilised in efforts to tackle major global challenges such as climate change; economic instability; economic development and growth; and national and global productivity and inequality, often catalysing profound shifts in policy debate and formulation. Professor Stern’s work, for example, has transformed worldwide debate on the economics of climate change, and CEP research on ‘happiness’, led by Professor Lord Richard Layard, has had similarly far-reaching effects on debate about human wellbeing. You can read about their work, as well as some of our other recent research projects on our page.
The Department’s ground-breaking work also generates high levels of public interest, a fact reflected in its frequent coverage by national and international media. It responds to that interest through an extensive programme of public lectures, attracting high-profile speakers such as Ben S Bernanke, outgoing chairman of the US Federal Reserve, and Olivier Blanchard, chief economist at the IMF.